Jessica Brennan President, 2017 – 2018
Jessica was born and raised in Montreal. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia, a Masters in Sociology, and a post-graduate degree from the University of Western Ontario in Library Science.
She moved to the Hamilton area in the 1980’s. Her volunteering started at the Canadian Red Cross and led to a staff position with responsibilities in International and Community Services. Jessica’s varied career involved time with Community Information Services in Hamilton, vice-president and president of the United Way … and the pursuit of another degree - attaining her Master of Social Work. Never resting on her laurels in education, Jessica has a degree in music in progress (an ARCT); she uses this expertise in her current employment as a music teacher – voice, piano, theory and music therapy.
Most of the people in Dundas were familiar with Jessica prior to her involvement in Rotary; she was a political activist (New Democratic Party) and a candidate both provincially and federally for the NDP. She became a school trustee and served the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board as its chair on two occasions.
In the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, Jessica was the club administrator for three years and then started on her role to be president and then Foundation Chair as our past president. She is particularly proud of her role in the Dundas Rotary Stars for a number of years.
Jessica is a political commentator on cable television and currently is on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Music Festival; she also uses her voice talent as a member of Chorus Hamilton.